'Gift Outside The Box' Challenges MoCo Residents To Gift Greener

GERMANTOWN, MD — Montgomery County officials are challenging residents to "gift greener" this holiday season as part of the region's fourth annual "Gift Outside the Box" campaign.

The campaign, which kicks off Wednesday, focuses on five areas where residents can learn how to gift in a more environmentally-friendly way:

Buy Local

• Help support county and state businesses by purchasing locally made products. Look for the "MoCo Made" label at Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) or other retail stores.

Gift Experiences

• No need for a box when the gift features event tickets, Montgomery Recreation classes, music lessons, and time in nature and at parks.

Gift Greener

• If you want to purchase brand new items, make sure that they encourage green living and, when possible, help people lower their utility bills. Consider LED lightbulbs, smart thermostats, and reusable materials such as water bottles, metal straws, and cloth napkins.

Give Back

• Among the most appreciated gifts are donations to local charities in the name of a family member or friend. Also, consider setting aside time to spend with friends and family by volunteering together.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

• Reduce waste by buying gifts made from recycled or reused materials, regift items not used from last year, and recycle all of paper (minimize wrapping all together by using reusable gift bags and cloth).

"The difficult times created by this pandemic gives us an opportunity to think about supporting our local businesses as a way to give greener this holiday season," said Adam Ortiz, director of the county's Department of Environmental Protection. "DEP and our partners are challenging residents to reduce waste by thinking differently about how they shop for and give gifts. Together, we can reduce waste, save energy, and build a strong local economy."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DEP will host a series of new virtual events to highlight ways residents can gift outside the box this holiday season:

• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 10-11 a.m.
• Gift Greener: Thursday, Dec. 3, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Gift Experiences: Monday, Dec. 7, 4-5 p.m.
• Buy Local: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Give Back and Give Thanks: Wednesday, Dec. 16, 5-6 p.m.

More information is available at the Gift Outside the Box website at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dep/gift-greener.html.